4 Best CBD Creams for Pain Relief: Tested and Reviewed

The Fast Facts

• Topical CBD products can offer short-term pain relief for some people, though more studies are needed.
• Our evaluators experienced temporary relief with several CBD creams, but they tended to work best when paired with other pain-relief strategies.
• We recommend Joy Organics for everyday muscle soreness and Aspen Green for higher-strength needs.

A quick look at the best CBD creams for pain

The CBD topicals that have performed best for pain in our experience often include additional ingredients that produce a cooling effect. It’s difficult to isolate which component is primarily responsible for the relief.

That said, early studies indicate that CBD might lower inflammation and could help with nerve-related pain when applied to the skin. Trying a pain cream that includes CBD may be worthwhile.

How do you separate the legitimate CBD creams from the rest? We reviewed more than 100 CBD topicals and put over 20 through initial screening and hands-on evaluation. Below are our top three selections for supporting your pain-management routine.

CBD creams for pain that worked for our testers

Best overall CBD cream for pain

Joy Organics Premium CBD Sports Cream

• CBD type:broad-spectrum
• CBD potency:1,000 mg per 4-fl oz container
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “JoyCBD” for 20% off.

Given its combination of size, affordability, and potency per bottle — plus positive reviewer feedback — Premium CBD Sports Cream is our top choice for a general-purpose CBD pain cream. It’s broad-spectrum, which is preferable for those avoiding THC.

Each jar contains 1,000 milligrams of CBD and blends menthol, camphor, and several essential oils. The formula also includes moisturizing agents.

Our reviewer Jackie Cruz, a competitive athlete managing tendonitis in her leg, used this cream alongside physical therapy and deep tissue work. She applied about a nickel-sized amount three times daily for a week.

“I noticed relief within seconds,” she reports. She didn’t find the menthol scent overly strong, described the texture as “just right,” and liked that it also moisturized while easing her soreness.

That said, some people may require a more potent CBD topical. Our tester Marie Rosales, who has nerve-related pain, found stronger relief from two of our other recommendations.

Those higher-potency options are pricier. Because multiple testers reported benefit from this cream, it’s a sensible starting point before investing in costlier alternatives.

One standout feature of Joy Organics is its 90-day refund policy and sizable discount programs. You can also save with subscription options and a loyalty program. If the product doesn’t work for you, you can request a full refund within 90 days.

Tester Kristin Currin agrees a nickel-sized dab works best; she used a larger quarter-sized amount and found it didn’t absorb as easily.

“It relieved my pain, but I ended up spreading it to other sore areas because I put out too much,” she says. “Along with nerve pain in my neck, I have arthritis in my knees, thumbs, and wrists. I can say it helps with arthritis, too!”

Pros & cons

• tester reported feeling effects almost immediately
• THC-free
• hydrates skin
• 90-day money-back guarantee
• discounts and loyalty incentives

• no CBD isolate variant available

Product details

• COA :available online
• Returns :full refund within 90 days
• Shipping :free shipping on orders over $47

Women-Founded

Best extra strength

Aspen Green Relief Cooling Cream

• CBD type:full-spectrum
• CBD potency:1,000 mg per 2-oz jar
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off.

When we first tried Aspen Green’s cooling cream in 2022, editor Christy Snyder was coping with new sciatica pain and was impressed right away. Heat, ice, and ibuprofen weren’t enough on their own, but this cooling formula offered immediate relief during a flare-up.

“The higher CBD concentration made a noticeable difference in easing my back pain,” she says.

On re-testing in 2024, a contributor with chronic low-back pain reported feeling a cooling effect within minutes. Full relief took about 10 to 20 minutes and lasted one to two hours.

In 2025 another tester noted the cooling effect activated quickly and found it a tad stronger than comparable products, which she liked. “This cream definitely works,” she says.

The drawback is price. It costs more than our top pick, and if used daily you might need to repurchase fairly often or reserve it for worse pain days.

This formula uses full-spectrum CBD, unlike some of our other selections. Full-spectrum products contain trace THC, which may enhance effects via the entourage effect. If you want to avoid THC, choose Joy Organics or Soul’s Rapid Relief Cream, which uses CBD isolate.

The texture is more paste-like, whereas the other creams are more lotion-like. It also includes arnica extract and organic menthol for a cooling sensation.

Pros & cons

• the stronger potency helped testers with back issues quickly
• water-based for smooth application
• USDA-certified brand
• 60-day return window

• contains THC, so not ideal for THC-avoidant users
• more expensive than some alternatives

Product details

• COA :available online
• Returns :returns within 60 days
• Shipping :free shipping on orders over $74

Best for muscle and joint pain

Soul CBD Rapid Relief Cream

• CBD type:isolate
• CBD potency:1,500 mg per 3.4-fl oz bottle
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “HEALTHLINE30” for 30% off.

In 2023 testing, Christy observed a cooling effect from this Soul CBD cream almost immediately. It helped with flare-ups, though she found Aspen Green to be slightly more powerful.

When Marie retested in 2025, she favored this cream above our other top selections.

At 1,500 mg of CBD per bottle, it was highly effective — perhaps too effective. Marie, a ballroom dancer, said it allowed her to perform longer because it eliminated muscle and joint pain, which led to increased soreness the following day.

She began using it at night or after dance sessions so she could still feel cues from her body to rest.

The cream has a loose, lotion-like consistency similar to Joy Organics’ product.

Formulated with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, hempseed oil, and shea butter, it spreads smoothly and is non-greasy.

It also contains cooling agents — menthol, camphor oil, and wintergreen oil — so patch-testing is advised, and avoid sensitive areas.

Pros & cons

• tester found rapid, effective relief
• formulated with athletes in mind
• includes hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, hempseed oil, and shea butter

• strong fragrance that may bother some
• can irritate sensitive skin

Product details

• COA :available on product page
• Returns :returns within 14 days
• Shipping :free shipping on orders $100+

Best for mild pain

CBDistillery Oooh Distilled 500 mg CBD Balm

• CBD type:full-spectrum
• CBD potency:500 mg per 1-oz jar
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “healthline” for 20% off sitewide or choose subscription for 20% off the first two orders and 25% off the third.

Marie applied this CBDistillery balm two to three times daily for minor aches and reported quick action but short-lived effects. “It gives an initial numbing sensation and reduced the pain to mild,” she said.

The balm contains shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe, which can soothe skin. Note that coconut and sunflower oils are common allergens, so it may be unsuitable for some people.

Marie didn’t love the texture, describing it as greasy, though she acknowledged it was moisturizing.

CBDistillery’s formula also uses camphor and tea tree for warming and cooling effects, and lavender contributes to the scent.

Despite some downsides, Marie ranked CBDistillery third in effectiveness among the creams we tested (Aspen Green and Joy ranked higher).

For mild pain that you might otherwise treat with over-the-counter meds, this balm could be a suitable alternative. It contains trace THC below 0.3% and produced tingling or numbing in areas like her fingers and wrists.

Pros & cons

• effective for mild pain according to our tester
• contains skin-soothing ingredients
• compact jar is convenient for travel

• effects may be short-lived
• greasy texture disliked by our tester
• contains potential allergens like coconut and sunflower

Product details

• COA :available on product page
• Price per mg :$0.10

Comparing CBD creams

How we chose the best CBD creams for pain relief

We picked the CBD creams listed here using standards that emphasize safety, quality, and transparency. After passing initial screening, products were tested to assess how they performed on common and chronic aches experienced by our team.

Our staff tested over 20 CBD topicals and carefully recorded their impact on pain management.

The Medical Standards and Insights team at our organization reviews and vets thousands of products and services. We fact-check claims, analyze ingredients, and evaluate each brand’s reputation before featuring items.

To compile this roundup, we considered all lotions, creams, and balms that passed vetting and then personally tested many to narrow the list. Read more about our CBD product testing process.

Does CBD cream help with pain?

While many people turn to topical CBD for pain relief, definitive evidence is limited. Still, smaller studies and animal research indicate topical CBD may alleviate several types of pain, including:

• Arthritis pain: A 2015 animal study suggested topical CBD could reduce arthritis pain and swelling. A more recent anonymous survey-based 2022 study linked CBD use with perceived improvement in arthritis symptoms. A 2023 mouse study proposed cannabinoids including CBD and cannabichromene may reduce inflammation common in arthritis.
• Nerve pain: A small 2020 study assessed topical CBD oils in people with nerve damage; many reported reductions in sharp, cold, and itchy pain sensations.
• Jaw pain: A 2019 pilot study found that applying topical CBD around twice daily reduced specific facial/jaw pain after two weeks.

Another 2020 report noted that some palliative-care patients regularly use THC or CBD topicals to ease pain.

Pros and cons of CBD cream

Pros

• Targets localized pain: Topicals are applied directly to problem areas, unlike edibles that affect the whole body.
• Fast-acting: Topicals don’t pass through the digestive system, so they often act faster than gummies or capsules.

Cons

• Less potent than ingestibles: Although quicker, topicals are often less powerful than oral products.
• Hard to dose precisely: Oils and edibles provide clear serving sizes; measuring exact amounts from creams is difficult.
• May not always be effective: Because topicals typically don’t enter the bloodstream, they might not relieve all pain types.

CBD creams vs. other topical pain relievers

Safety and side effects

A 2017 review found CBD to be generally well tolerated.

Most CBD topicals are intended for external use only. Do not ingest them unless the label specifies that it’s safe.

Avoid applying topical CBD to open wounds; wait until skin is healed. Many products shouldn’t be used on broken skin or where other cosmetic products are freshly applied.

Low-dose topical CBD is unlikely to cause intoxication, but some people may experience:

• sleepiness
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite or weight

Topicals are less likely to enter the bloodstream and trigger systemic effects.

How well a product absorbs (bioavailability) depends on factors such as:

• skin hydration
• skin condition
• skin thickness
• whether the area has more fat, muscle, or bone

Because research on topical CBD absorption is limited, safety when combining CBD with other topical agents is uncertain.

Sometimes one topical can alter absorption of another, depending on formulations and application order. Ingredients may also interact chemically. It’s usually best to space applications by several hours.

A 2023 study looking at elite athletes with chronic leg pain who used CBD topicals reported few side effects.

Consult a healthcare provider before using CBD, as it can interact with medications, including some pain medications.

Frequently asked questions about CBD creams for pain

What is the best topical CBD cream for pain?

Testers and editors selected Joy Organics Premium CBD Sports Cream as the top topical CBD cream for pain. It acted fast, has soothing components, and a pleasant texture.

Does CBD cream stop pain?

Research is ongoing, but smaller and animal studies suggest CBD may reduce inflammation and ease certain types of pain, including arthritis, nerve, and jaw pain.

What are side effects of CBD pain cream?

Potential side effects include:

• sleepiness
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• weight fluctuations

Always check ingredient lists to avoid allergens and don’t apply CBD to broken skin. Perform a patch test before wider use to ensure you don’t react to any components.

How long does it take for CBD cream to work on pain?

Individual responses vary, but topical CBD often begins to take effect within 15 to 30 minutes.

If the product contains menthol or similar agents, you may feel a tingling or cooling sensation within seconds.

How does CBD cream compare to CBD oil for pain relief?

CBD creams provide more targeted relief because you apply them directly to the painful area, while ingesting CBD oil produces a whole-body effect.

Can CBD cream be used alongside other pain management treatments?

Talk with a clinician before combining CBD with other treatments. CBD can affect liver metabolism of certain drugs, including opioids.

What type of CBD is most effective for pain?

Our testers tried various CBD formats — creams, oils, and gummies — and found all could help, with creams offering the most targeted relief.

Testers tended to see the best results with full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD formulas.

What are the negatives of CBD cream?

Some downsides include:

• it doesn’t address the root cause of pain
• it may provide only modest relief
• formulas can include allergens
• some products feel greasy
• not always the most portable option for on-the-go use

Additionally, scientific research into topical CBD’s effectiveness is still limited.

The takeaway

Definitive proof that CBD topicals reliably relieve pain is still evolving, but many users report benefits from balms, creams, lotions, and salves.

For optimal outcomes, consider a high-potency, full- or broad-spectrum CBD cream from a trustworthy brand that uses quality, ideally organic, ingredients.

Look for brands that are transparent about growth, sourcing, and processing. Consult your healthcare provider before trying CBD.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, making some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. Products with more than 0.3% THC remain federally illegal. State laws vary, so check local regulations, especially when traveling. Also note that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and labeling may sometimes be inaccurate.

This article is editorially controlled by HealthEH. The product uses described here are not claims made by manufacturers. The information provided is general and not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.